California | BRIEFLY

Also. . .

Sunbeam Corp. said its first-quarter loss was almost as big as a year ago because of interest expenses following $2.6 billion in acquisitions. The maker of Sunbeam blenders and First Alert smoke alarms had a loss of $59.4 million, or 55 cents a share, compared with $60.7 million, or 60 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 2.9% to $539.1 million from $523.9 million. Sunbeam continues to be hampered by costs stemming from fired Chairman Albert Dunlap's 1998 purchases of Coleman Co., First Alert Inc. and Signature Brands USA Inc. The company has had losses for nine consecutive quarters.

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